[AT] Glow plugs

[ATIS]

I recently fixed a Mahindra tractor with glow plug problems. It was the relay.  What was reported to me was a tractor that wouldn't start. The owner suspected fuel. But what I found in this instance was no glow plugs.   The smaller diesel engine could not generate enough compression to heat the fuel to the point of combustion when dead cold.   They have to have a working glow plug system.  By the way this was true with my little Yanmar diesel generator engine too.  You better hit the glow plugs even if it was 80° out.

Having said that I have never seen a Mahindra   tractor the wouldn't start after just 8 to 12 seconds of glow plugs when dead cold.   Lots of smoke, but it would start.

Good luck!


Spencer Yost

> On Dec 19, 2015, at 2:13 PM, Mike M <meulenms at gmx.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi All,
>  I have a question about glow plugs, my Mahindra is the first diesel I 
> have owned that has them. In the summer, I don't really bother with 
> them, but now that winter has arrived here in Michigan, I assume I 
> should be using them all the time. When I turn the key the light comes 
> on for about 30 seconds, then goes off, and I fire it up. Is there a 
> rule of thumb as to when I should be using them, or is it just whether 
> is starts easily enough without them? Will not using them cause any harm 
> to the engine? Any thoughts would be appreciated. My old Massey didn't 
> have them, if it was below 40 degrees, you plugged in the block heater, 
> or you couldn't start it.
> 
> Thanks,
> Mike M
> 
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